CATL unveils new Super hybrid battery with 250 miles electric range for an EV-like experience

The world’s largest EV battery maker launched its newest product on Thursday. China’s CATL unveiled its new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, calling it “the world’s first” hybrid battery with over 400 km (250 mi) all-electric range. With 4C ultra-fast charging, the new battery delivers an EV-like experience.

With a new wave of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) launching in China and other major global auto markets, CATL is making it easier than ever to go electric.

Although current PHEV tech is inferior to all-electric vehicles with the constant need to charge, slow charging, and short range, CATL believes its new battery could be a game changer.

The Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery is “the world’s first hybrid vehicle battery to achieve a pure electric range of over 400 kilometers and 4C superfast charging,” according to CATL. The days of constant charging are over, with enough electric range for a week’s commute.

With ultra-fast 4C charging, drivers can gain nearly 175 miles (280 km) in just 10 minutes. Gao Huan, CTO of CATL’s China E-car Business, explained how the new tech works during the launch event.

Huan said the new battery includes new surface modification tech for the cathode material. In addition to an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formulation, the latest tech creates a nano protective layer.

CATL launches the world’s first Super hybrid battery

Thanks to significant improvements in CATL’s tech, the hybrid battery is smarter and more efficient than ever.

With a 40% increase in SOC control accuracy, CATL’s Freevoy enables pure electric range of over 400 km (250 mi). CATL claims the new battery improves hybrid power performance by 20%.

CATL’s new battery is already powering several models from brands, including Li Auto, AVATR, DEEPAL, Changan Nevo, and NETA. By 2030, the Freevoy battery will be used in 30 hybrid models from top automakers, including Volvo owner Geely, Chery, GAC, and VOYAH.

The company said its new hybrid battery is “another milestone” in its commitment to deliver superior driving experiences. Looking ahead, “CATL will remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation” as it accelerates the shift to electrification.

CATL’s new battery is the company’s latest innovation. Last month, the battery giant unveiled its ultra-high-energy-density Tectrans bus battery that can last nearly 1 million miles (1.5 million km).

Last April, CATL unveiled the Shenxing PLUS EV battery, “the world’s first LFP battery with 4C ultra-fast charging.”

Over the summer, CATL also opened a first-of-its-kind experience center in China, showcasing its batteries in EVs from Tesla, Volkswagen, NIO, and others.

According to data from CnEVPost, CATL leads the global EV battery market with a commanding 37.1% share through August 2024. China’s BYD is second with a 16.4% share.

China’s new energy vehicle sales, including EVs and PHEVs, hit a record with 1.29 million units sold in September, up 17% from the previous record set in August.